Love Next Door

6

Soju and Silent Reckonings

The moon cast its silvery glow over the suburban street as Yeji's parents' house stood proudly amid the quiet night. On the terrace, the scent of grilled meat and vegetables wafted through the cool air, mingling with the earthy aroma of pine from the nearby trees. Yeji stood at the barbecue grill, her hands deftly maneuvering skewers of marinated beef and colorful vegetables.

She had donned an apron that read "Master Chef," though her skills were more the result of practice than any innate culinary talent. Despite the difficult circumstances that had brought her back to Korea, tonight's barbecue was a small act of normalcy and comfort.

As she tended to the grill, Lia's enthusiastic voice cut through the air. "Hey, Yeji ! This smells amazing. It's like a high school reunion right here."

Yeji turned, her face brightening at the sight of her old friend. "Lia ! You're just in time. The first batch is almost ready."

They embraced warmly, and Lia immediately jumped in to help with the food. "I've missed this. It's been way too long since we had a chance to hang out like this."

While they worked, the conversation flowed effortlessly between them. They talked about old school days, the trials and tribulations of adulthood, and the little quirks that made their friendship special. For a moment, the worries and pressures of Yeji's current situation seemed to fade into the background.

After a while, Lia's eyes sparkled with an idea. "You know, we should call Ryujin. It's been ages since the three of us were together. It would be fun."

Yeji hesitated, a shadow crossing her face. "I don't know. Ryujin's been swamped with work lately. I'm not sure if she'll have the time."

Lia's enthusiasm was undeterred. "I'll give her a call. You never know, she might just surprise us."

With that, Lia picked up her phone and dialed Ryujin's number. The conversation was brief, and Lia's smile faltered as she hung up. "Ryujin says she's buried in work and can't make it tonight. I tried."

Yeji's relief was subtle but noticeable. "Well, it's just us then. I'm sure we'll have a great time."

As they continued to prepare the meal, the warmth of their friendship began to soften the edges of Yeji's anxiety. They laughed and reminisced, finding comfort in the familiar rhythms of their conversations.

Just as they were finishing up, Yeji realized they were running low on soju. "Lia, could you run down to the corner store and grab some more ? We're almost out."

"Sure thing," Lia replied, grabbing her coat. "I'll be right back."

With Lia gone, Yeji found herself alone on the terrace. The city lights shimmered in the distance, and the night air was filled with a tranquil stillness. Yeji took a deep breath, savoring the serenity of the moment.

Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. She looked up to see Ryujin approaching, her expression a mixture of surprise and relief. Ryujin looked a bit disheveled, her hair slightly tousled from a long day at work, but her presence was still commanding.

"Hey," Ryujin greeted, her voice carrying a note of genuine warmth. "I thought I'd drop by after all. Couldn't resist the lure of homemade barbecue."

Yeji's face lit up with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you could make it. I was starting to think you'd bail on us."

Ryujin shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm never one to miss a good meal. Plus, it's been too long."